Q: I would like to know if the physicians out there have experience with IV glutathione--if so at what dose? Any complications?--I have used 60-500mg--sometimes patients get a full headed feeling or an actual headache. I am wondering if they are detoxing too fast. I also wonder what the contraindications should be.--Any words of wisdom would be great. Dr Fields

A1: Dear Dr. Fields,Typical starting dose in our clinic for glutathione is 1800 mg or 9 cc of Wellness glutathione with the addition of 12 cc sterile water (we do not use saline because electrolytes cannot be administered with phosphatidylcholine or a soap will form.) We precede the glutathione with Lipostabil Phosphatidylcholine because glutathione does not pass the blood brain barrier or the cell membrane (unless the pt has a leaky membrane as is often the case in the elderly).Thus we begin with a lipid exchange with Lipostabil, then administer Leucovorin and complete the infusion with glutathione. There are too major side effects with glutathione.The first is a frontal headache and the second is nausea/vomiting. These symptoms no longer occur in our clinic as we:1. Dilute the glutathione appropriately2. Watch the patient closely and ask how they are feeling slowing down the infusion rate (it is give as a 'push' ) if the patient is uncomfortable.3. If a patient begins to have difficulty with a headache administer potassium bicarbonate - usually 500 mg will stop it within a few minutes.4. We make sure the patient has eaten a meal in the past 4 hours.

There is only one contraindication to the use of glutathione and that is a patient who is in a state of high histamine release. If your patient has active asthma, wheezing and other high histamine responses do not administer glutathione.

If you are using a great deal of glutathione keep in mind that it is a potent chelator and you will not only chelate heavy metals like Hg and Pb but also trace minerals like Zn.

We have a medical book you might be interested in called The Detoxx Book that has more information.

A3: I use up to 10 cc of glutathione (100 mg/cc) SLOW IV push (mixed with 10 cc NS) after any chelation for heavy metals, MCS, chronic fatigue, asthma/COPD/bronchiectasis, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. If the patient has a history of respiratory problems, start with a lower dose and build up as tolerated, as some patients will experience some shortness of breath or tightness in the chest. Headache, which occurs rarely is transient. You can also mix glutathione into the IV solution but if it is going to run for 15-20 minutes, the bag/bottle should be covered with aluminum foil or something else to block the light as glutathione is light-sensitive.

A4: Phase 2 detox and keep up the good work. Fast in nervous system and slower more liver. Put patient on liver and bowel detox and add heprone or what ever you want for phase 2 help. Keep working up to higher doses of glutathione.